Albania launches new programme to boost social inclusion

Albania, in cooperation with the United Nations Agencies in Albania and with the support of the Swiss Cooperation Office, launched on Monday a new program to boost social inclusion. The program "UN Support to Social Inclusion" aims to improve the social inclusion policy framework and governance at all levels in Albania, according to a press release of the UN in Albania. Albanian Minister of Social Welfare and Youth Erion Velia said that the ministry will play the key role of jcoordinator with other line ministries in terms of the social inclusion agenda. "There have been positive developments in the country's economic and social spheres in the last few years. However, there are groups and social strata that have not fully benefited from this progress," said Swiss Ambassador in Albania Alexander Wittwer, adding that the launch of this program will change the current situation. The UN Resident Coordinator in Albania and UN Development Program Resident Representative in Albania Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun said that the program is part of the Program of Cooperation between the Government of Albania and the UN 2012-2016. The new program will last four years.